Cor pulmonale

Definition

Cor pulmonale is failure of the right side of the heart brought on by long-term high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries and right ventricle of the heart.

Alternative Names

Right-sided heart failure

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Normally, the left side of the heart produces a higher blood pressure in order to pump blood to the body. The right side of the heart pumps blood through the lungs under much lower pressure.

High blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs is called pulmonary hypertension. The right side of the heart has a harder time pumping blood when this happens. If this high pressure is present for a longer period of time, it puts a strain on the right side of the heart, leading to cor pulmonale.

Almost any chronic lung condition that causes prolonged low blood oxygen levels can lead to cor pulmonale. A few of these causes include:

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to control symptoms. It is important to treat medical disorders that cause pulmonary hypertension, which can lead to cor pulmonale.

Many new treatment options are becoming available. Medicines that may be prescribed include:

Ambrisentan (Letairis)

Bosentan (Tracleer)

Calcium channel blockers

Diuretics

Prostacyclin or similar medications

Sildenafil

Your doctor will decide which medicine is best for you. You will be closely monitored during treatment to watch for side effects and to see how well the medicine works for you. Never stop taking your medicines without talking to your doctor.

Other treatments may include:

Blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots

Oxygen, in some cases

A lung or heart-lung transplant, if medication does not work

As the illness gets worse, you will need to make changes in the home environment and get more help around the home.